Clinic protest planned (Pine Ridge - pro-choice)

[NVMojo]

PINE RIDGE -- American Indian elders, youths and community members will meet today to organize a march protesting a proposed women's clinic offering abortion services on Pine Ridge Indian Reservation.

Organizer Lily Mae Red Eagle, 85, of Kyle, said the meeting would begin at 1 p.m. at the powwow grounds in Pine Ridge.

She said the group will plan a march later this month to protest Oglala Sioux Tribe President Cecelia Fire Thunder's proposal to establish an abortion clinic on the reservation.

Fire Thunder proposed the clinic in response to a new state law, scheduled to take effect in July, banning almost all abortions in South Dakota. Fire Thunder said the reservation's sovereign status would allow doctors to perform abortions at a clinic there despite state law.

more...

http://www.rapidcityjournal.com/articles/2006/05/24/news/local/news05.txt

and a longer version of the story is here...

http://www.lifenews.com/state1674.html

[Kutjara]

1. Gotta love the wording.

The article starts off calling the clinic a "women's clinic offering abortion services," which is bad enough, considering the establishment's primary mission is, no doubt, to offer a wide range of sexual health and gynocological services. I don't know of any clinic of this nature that regards abortion as the central focus of its operations.

The article's tone soon changes to calling the place an "abortion clinic," however, so the idea that the place has any other reason for existence is quickly lost.

I wonder what fundie propaganda underpins this bullshit.

[sandnsea]

3. No, that was the intention

To provide abortions in S Dakota after the state outlawed it. In this case, safe abortions are the point and it would take the focus off the medical necessity to dilute it with other women's health services.

[depakid]

2. Considering the problem South Dakota has with Infant mortality

particularly on the res, you'd think they'd welcome any help that they could get:

http://www.state.sd.us/news/showDoc.aspx?i=6173

[pezdespencer]

4. Im an american Indian

And its sad to see this happening in our goverment like it does in the US politics.
I vote in Elections for our goverment officials As well as the US elections, however I have never herd this mentioned by a canadate as a political position.
I hope our goverment doesnt create A large distraction over this issue. With the indian people its pro life 99.9% of the time. I feel it takes away from important issues like education, health care, and housing. We have are problems too I just dont think this should distract from them.

I say distraction because this clinic will never happen it kinda goes against everything we are taught.

[cally]

5. Thank you for a different perspective

I'm wondering if different tribes have different perspectives on this. I'm supportive of the Sioux Chief's actions but I do see how it can be a unwanted distraction from other important issues. Welcome to DU.

[pezdespencer]

8. I'm Cherokee

I live in the Cherokee Nation. "Tulsa Oklahoma" If you want information about our government you can go here www.cherokee.org. But I feel the pro life stance is wide spread through out all 5 civilized tribes. And if the issue is pushed by the Lakota Chief she will be removed from her position in the next election. And I'm sure The chief does not like to be called Sioux this is a derogatory term for most Lakota Indians. So this shows how much the reporter actually knows about the Lakota.

The 5 civilized tribes are as follows Creek, Cherokee, Seminole, Chickasaw and Choctaw.

Im 3/8 Cherokee and 1/8 Choctaw.
But my uncle through marriage is full blood Creek and was an elected offical for many years. I called him to ask what his people thought about the issue and he said "I would spit in the face of Fire Thunder if this happens".

Like I said this goes against all we are taught.

[cally]

9. I apologize for using a derogatory term

I wouldn't have used it if I had known.

[pezdespencer]

10. no offense taken

I'm glad I could give you some useful information. If you have anymore questions please let me know I would be glad to answer them the best I can. I appreciate your interest in our culture.

[jwirr]

6. Agreed. However, I question the news article because very few

reporters ever understand what is really going on at the reservations. Are there tribal elections soon? How are the protesters associated to the ins on the res? As one who has witnessed the distortions of news stories as far back as Wounded Knee 1972 I do not trust the writers. You are correct that abortion on the reservation is usually seen as genocide. I can also see where the residents of any res would be upset about getting into the white man's arguments.

[Caoimhe]

7. Tribes here are notoriously pro-life, at least here...

and have notoriously high teen pregnancy numbers. When your older sisters was pregnant at age 13 and age 12, and you see how much attention and love they and their babies got from your parent(s) and the family, you think.. hey there's no way this will disappoint my family as they don't have greater expectations for us kids anyway. Many if not most girls on the reservation don't aspire to college or a profession. Their profession will be having and raising a family, and there is no reason to hold off. Sad, but true. I admire the courage of Chief Fire Thunder, but I don't see this going far, as most in the community just don't have the desire to fight for abortion rights. So many other issues facing the tribes all the time.